Catherine (Spell) Brown passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at Crystal Bay Senior Living Center in Sandestin, Florida, at 92. The family said their beautiful Auntie Kay is now reunited with the love of her life, Bill Brown; sister, Angie (and John Pappas); brother, George (and Helen Spell); and beloved great-niece, Megan Pappas.

Catherine was born Dec. 11, 1923, in Minneapolis, to James and Georgia Spell. She was a longtime employee at Farmers & Mechanics Bank in Minneapolis. She married Bill Brown in 1963 and shared the happiest seven years square dancing, golfing, entertaining and traveling together, living in Washington D.C. and Cupertino, California, until his unexpected death in 1969. Her faith was strong as a dedicated lifelong member of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church. She enjoyed cooking, music and singing, watching old movies and all things purple — her favorite color. Though she never had children of her own, she spent her life raising and spoiling the five Pappas children. 

She is survived by Georgeia Pappas-Johnson (Robert), Charles (Theresa) Pappas, Stephanie (John Robert) Woolf, Michael (Karen) Pappas, James (Mary) Pappas, James (Pam) Spell,  Stacy (Thom Macpherson) Spell and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and their children and many dear relatives and friends.

“Our Auntie Kay was a beautiful woman, she had the brightest sparkle in her eyes, her hair fixed just right, her nails painted, her lipstick and jewelry to match. Our lives have been so enriched by her love,” her family said.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Washburn-McReavy, Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, with Trisagion at 4:30 p.m and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S in Minneapolis, MN 55408. Private interment will be in Albert Lea. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Catherine Spell Brown Memorial.